2/27/24

Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies say a suspected impaired driver suffered serious injuries when his speeding vehicle left the road and went down a steep embankment. Meanwhile, a second DUI suspect was also arrested when he attempted to pass emergency crews, including a helicopter, at the scene.

A deputy noticed a car being driven erratically on Main Street in Cottonwood around 2 a.m. Saturday. The vehicle was speeding and crossed the center line several times, and as it turned onto Highway 260, the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop. However, the driver turned off all lights and accelerated up to 100 mph. Just a few seconds later, the car failed to negotiate a turn, slid off the road, and down a 200-foot slope. The driver, a 22-year-old Cottonwood man, was ejected about halfway down the embankment and suffered serious injuries, including a possible neck fracture. Deputies called for a helicopter to transport the man to Flagstaff Medical Center.

As medical personnel were taking the victim to the aircraft, which had landed in the middle of the now-closed highway, deputies and a Sedona police officer assisting with traffic control saw a vehicle attempting to pass all emergency vehicles and the helicopter by driving on the shoulder. They were able to finally stop the car and arrested the driver, a 51-year-old Camp Verde man, on suspicion of DUI.